The Penny Just Died—And Your Money Might Be Next

Trump just killed the penny. Literally. After 200+ years of existing, the U.S. Mint pressed its last one on November 12th.

But before you yawn—here’s what actually matters: The penny didn’t die because it was old. It died because inflation made it worthless.

Think about it. A penny costs 3.69 cents to produce. You literally lose money making it. And in a world where everyone just taps their phone to pay, picking up a penny off the ground? Yeah, nobody’s doing that anymore.

But this is way bigger than one coin.

The Real Villain: Inflation

The penny is just the canary in the coal mine. Inflation has been quietly eating away at your money’s value for years. Remember 2022 when inflation hit 9.1%? That wasn’t normal. The Fed targets 2% annually—that’s healthy. But when prices spike across the board faster than wages? You’re getting poorer in real terms, even if your salary stays the same.

As inflation rises, smaller currency units become pointless. Nickels and dimes already lost most of their purchasing power decades ago. The penny just finally surrendered.

So… What Do You Do?

The obvious play: Don’t let your cash get “pennified.”

High-yield savings accounts are pulling 4-5% interest right now—way better than letting money rot in a checking account.

Stocks historically return ~7% after inflation—if you’re not invested, you’re losing ground.

TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) are literally designed to outpace inflation. Boring but effective.

Kill your fixed costs while you can—refinance that mortgage, lock in better rates before they climb higher.

Boost your income—raises, side hustles, new skills. If your paycheck isn’t keeping up with rising prices, that’s a personal crisis.

The Uncomfortable Truth

Prices aren’t stopping. Inflation isn’t stopping. The penny was just the first casualty.

The question isn’t “What happens when the penny disappears?” It’s “What happens to your wealth if you do nothing?”

The penny’s gone. But your financial strategy? That needs to evolve right now.